Korean Job Discussion Forums

[ellie]

Hey guys- Am about to leave for South Korea in a couple of days I get the impression that it would be a nice gesture if I bring a gift for the director/school from home. Would this be right, and if so any ideas on what to bring? I have packed 4 Australian childrens books, would this be suffice- dont really want to bring a bottle of plonk?

Also with regards to texts or grammar books I was thinking on just bringing an english and a grammar dictionary and working with their texts. I feel as though a grammar working book (which is heavy) is perhaps going to duplicate what we have on hand- perhaps with a few extra ideas.

Oh one more thing, bowing with regards to greeting each other, is it a nod or a bow at the waist area?
Any comments would be greatly appreciated.
Thankyou have fun

[ontheway]

Have you talked by phone with any experienced EFL teachers in Korea? If not, it would be worth the price before you pack and get on that plane.

And YES, a gift for your new boss is a great gesture. What? I don't know...something that has to do with Australia would be appropriate. But, not too cheap (you look cheap) and not too expensive (your new boss will be embarrassed). (20 or 30 dollars in Australia maybe?)

Good luck at your new job!

[sheba]

Have you talked to the teacher you will be replacing? Ask what books you need.... I bought grammar and pronunciation books and will never have use for them at my job. The Korean teachers teach grammar and phonics here.

Not sure about the gift for your boss though. Have you bought things for the kids? Stickers, AU coins, lollies, pins and badges, stationery??? They love it and it works wonders in bribery for good behaviour.

[poof]

Wow...this must be some honorable VIP employer that you are so carefully considering what to buy, how to wrap, and how many degrees you should bow when presenting your gifts...!!!

Whilst it's a nice thought, after some time here in Korea, I would like to invite anyone to say whether they have ever bought a gift for their boss or any Korean colleagues...I'm intrigued by how much generosity goes round here by Western teachers, after all, we're all complaining about what a mean-so-and-so our bosses are!!!

For my side, I've never bought any employer an 'I've arrived' gift. I wait some time to see what lengths my employers go to in helping me with things, - how much effort they made to make smooth my arrival etc. Then, come Chuseok or Xmas, I will decide if my employer has 'earned' a decent gift or not.
Maybe that's a bit tough on my part. But, quite honestly, if my employer has screwed me around - and this did happen once - I was quite happy to wrap up an old box of fly paper lost in my cupboards (no, I believe that arsenic was taken out as a key ingredient of this product some time back...) in the most elaborate piece of paper I could find, and exageratedly made out I'm presenting a really exciting Xmas gift to my employer. I then hurried out before it was unwrapped, and then waited with time to find that as expected, I got dished out more crap than ever before...

[ontheway]

Korea is all about showing respect. Maybe too much so. But it's true. Bringing a gift will get you off on the right foot. It will start you out on good terms. What will follow? ...

At my now mostly wonderful hogwan, the gifts flow continuously. We give fairly nice, expensive gifts to the students for holidays. The parents bring gifts to the 2 foreign teachers and the Wonjangnim when they renew their enrollments and for many holidays, moving days, and just because: we get food almost daily, various health drinks, socks, socks, socks, towels, wallets, expensive shirts, sweaters, hanbok, and when I asked for help with my Korean language to get a handphone, I received 2 handphones as gifts. One mother just brought us a big stack of games and toys from her US trip. Gifts.

There are many, many problems here. But the Koreans are also kind and sweet and generous. When you give your best, they will too. Our school is small. It's like a big family. Our kids, the students, love us. We give them the best possible program. We tell the mothers when the kids are bad or don't study. We help kids catch up. So, try the Korean way of courtesy and gifting. It's hard for us foreigners, but don't start out with a chip on your shoulder.

And yes, I've had bad hogwan experiences of my own. One really bad boss (wow) and my own mistakes too!

Not Pollyanna - TANSTAAFL

Yes! Bring a gift for your new hogwan boss. Sure there are bad owners, managers, and teachers, as we see regularly on Dave's. But, you've chosen a school based on your hopes/assumptions/research. I'm sure you wouldn't be coming if it wasn't your realistic expectation of a good experience. If you start out with the expectation of a bad experience you shouldn't bring a gift. You shouldn't be coming at all.

[ellie]

Hello- thanks for your ideas. I ended up getting a bottle of decent plonk and a box of baci chocolates which have the little love notes in it. Followed by the australian books and stamps, coins etc. The plonk is still on the directors desk- she doesnt speak much english- but needed a bottle opener. I brought one in - cant wait to open it. the chocolates- they finally got eaten but I think most the teaching staff missed the little baci note- bugger.
landed in korea safely- thank god, then picked up the flu, has taken its toll.
Anyway looks like my school is fantastic, so too the apartment and the area. I am very lucky. I will enjoy myself here
thanks again for your ideas